There are around 2500 cyclists seriously injured on the public road
system each year according to a new statistical report by th
Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Cycle Safety: A Nationa
Perspective.

Releasing the report today, Minister for Local Government, Territorie
and Roads, Jim Lloyd, called for motorists and cyclists to share th
road.

"Cycling is an important form of transport and recreation for many
people in the community," Mr Lloyd said.

"It is important that motorists recognise the rights of cyclists to us
the road and be considerate."

"It is equally important for cyclists to know their responsibilities o
the road and follow the rules."

"While we shouldn't ignore the risks of cycling, we should also
recognise the significant benefits regular cycling can provide to the
community," he said.

"Cycling should be encouraged as it can provide significant
environmental and health benefits."

"The National Cycling Strategy, Australia Cycling: the National
Strategy, 1999-2004 recognises these benefits and my departmen
supports the implementation of the strategy through the Australia
Bicycle Council." Mr Lloyd said.

The ATSB report summarises some of the key cycling safety indicators.
Key findings of the report include:

* Cyclists account for around 2 per cent of road deaths and 11 per cen
of seriously injured each year.
* In 2003, cycling was the fourth most popular physical activity amon
people aged 15 years and older.
* There is considerable evidence that the overall community benefits
from cycling are likely to outweigh the loss of life through cycling
accidents.

Well, it seems sensible enough to me, there were two key points tha
stood out for me:

1. Increasing participation in cycling is likely to reduce the _rate
of cycling accidents as less trips are taken by car and higher presenc
of cyclists on the roads improves motorists' familiarity with cyclists
- This isn't all that controversial and I'm sure will find favour i
this newsgroup...

2. Wearing a helmet reduces the likelihood of injury in the event of a
accident. (Except for neck injuries, according to the footnote
reference, otherwise the evidence in favour of helmets i
"overwhelming"). - This is flamebait that some people will loudly, i
not violently, oppose. Nevertheless, if I'm going to tumble down th
road, I'd rather have something between the road and my head...

I ride and I drive, but I like riding more than I like driving... No
they tell me it's good for me as well!

THE benefits of regular bike riding outweighed the loss of life through
cycling accidents, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said
today.

I am almost 57 years old and have diabetes. Walking is difficult, as I have
a bad ankle, broken ten years ago, now destroyed by arthritis. I can ride a
bicycle though, and the daily 10-15 kilometres I do is critical to my
managing my diabetes. I can "work off" whatever food I eat by going on a
bike ride an hour after eating. I like to translate every 100 kilometres of
bike riding I do as adding an extra day to my life. I just wish that drivers
(I also drive a lot) were not as aggressive, especially now leading up to
Christmas.

There are around 2500 cyclists seriously injured on the public road
system each year according to a new statistical report by the
Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Cycle Safety: A National
Perspective.

Releasing the report today, Minister for Local Government, Territories
and Roads, Jim Lloyd, called for motorists and cyclists to share the
road.

"Cycling is an important form of transport and recreation for many
people in the community," Mr Lloyd said.

"It is important that motorists recognise the rights of cyclists to use
the road and be considerate."

"It is equally important for cyclists to know their responsibilities on
the road and follow the rules."

"While we shouldn't ignore the risks of cycling, we should also
recognise the significant benefits regular cycling can provide to the
community," he said.

"Cycling should be encouraged as it can provide significant
environmental and health benefits."

"The National Cycling Strategy, Australia Cycling: the National
Strategy, 1999-2004 recognises these benefits and my department
supports the implementation of the strategy through the Australian
Bicycle Council." Mr Lloyd said.

The ATSB report summarises some of the key cycling safety indicators.
Key findings of the report include:

* Cyclists account for around 2 per cent of road deaths and 11 per cent
of seriously injured each year.
* In 2003, cycling was the fourth most popular physical activity among
people aged 15 years and older.
* There is considerable evidence that the overall community benefits
from cycling are likely to outweigh the loss of life through cycling
accidents.

cfsmtb wrote:
Here's some breaking news from the world of politix
that maybe of interest to you. Same old message or
important media release?

But... But... Cycling is _dangerous_! Otherwise we wouldn't b
subjected to all that helmet propaganda that tells us if we leave th
house without a helmet then we'l surely be struck down with scabies...
Or was it thrush? Never can remember which. Indeed, I've been havin
trouble with remembering stuff ever since that shark bit my head whil
I was cycling outside the flags. Or was that without sunscreen?

Terry Nice, but.
"It is equally important for cyclists to know their
responsibilities on the road and follow the rules."

Terry And the same old boring "but we really don't believe it is
Terry the motorist that is at fault and by saying the above we give
Terry all the problem motorists a cop-out".

No, that's not what it says at all. It says that it's "...important for
cyclists to know their responsibilities on the road and follow the
rules."

I don't see how you can take issue with that statement. Of the cyclists
I see on my daily commute to and from the city I reckon about half show
no regard for traffic lights. I remember one afternoon where a guy
following me was doing the right thing stopping at reds whilst just
about everyone else sailed through them. "I reckon it's just you and me
today," is what he said to me. Unfortunately it's all too common an
experience.

So tell me again; how does a recognition that both cyclists and
motorists must obey the rules equate to giving the motorist a cop out?
--
Cheers
Euan